Friday, May 16, 2014

Exhibition Announcement: Mark Kitaoka's "29 Hands - 15 Artists"

"29 Hands - 15 Artists"15 Black and White Large Format PhotographsBy Mark KitaokaEditor John OrrWhen
I was a young boy, my father instilled in me a very important
lesson. "Son, the true measure of people can be seen
through their behavior rather than their words. Behavior that backs
up their words is the true measure of what they say. Watch what
people do, that will tell you much more than what they say."I've
followed his sage advice my entire life and judged my own words
against my own behavior. So much of what we "do" is done
through our hands. Building, writing, defending ourselves, creating
what begins in our minds, caring for those we love, are all
accomplished with our hands.The
genesis of "29 Hands — 15 Artists" began during an Open
Studios session at the Peninsula Museum of Art (PMA). As I watched
the artists work, I thought "Wow this is a perfect place to
photograph the hands of working artists." I opted to photograph
each artist as they worked or performed.

Name: Steve BruggeArtistic discipline: PoetDate Taken: August 2013Steve is the reason the title of the show is 29 rather than 30
hands. He lost his primary hand in anindustrial accident and had to relearn how to use his left hand.
After much personal turmoil, he foundsolace in the art of poetry. I wanted natural light for his shot,
so we created this image in his backyardjust under the stippling of his patio awning. I lit him with fill
light using a simple Speedlite housed in aSaberStrip modifier. He is writing about his experience being
photographed for this project.

Name: Kris YenneyArtistic discipline: CellistDate Taken: August 2013I met Kris back in 2008 during a theatrical performance. I often
like to wander over to the orchestra pitin an attempt to shoot some of the musicians. As I peered down
into the pit, I was motivated to takesome shots of her beautiful hands as she played the cello, one of
my all-time favorite instruments. Webegan a strong friendship after that moment. For this shot I
wanted an ethereal look for Kris, to matchthe sounds that emanate from her instrument. Using a studio strobe
with a cone reflector and 10-degree grid from above seemed like the perfect lighting. I also
added haze to the air to further enhancethe ethereal feeling I was seeking. If you're attending my
opening, she is the one playing in the lobby.

Name: Charles BranklynArtistic discipline: Stage ActorDate Taken: May 2012Charles and I met during the production of TheatreWork's "Radio
Golf." His character portrayal was onethat exhibited complete and utter mastery of acting. During one of
the scenes he grasps a fedora to hischest and at that moment I noticed his utterly exquisite hands.
It's not often I envy someone's hands,but his are truly the exception.

Name: Rob BrowneArtistic discipline: SculptorDate Taken: August 2013PMA Alum Rob and I have known each other for some time. He and I
collaborated on a sculpture he didfrom one of my photographs of Bianca Sappeto, a Cirque Silk
Aerialist. Since Rob was not working on anyprojects on the day I shot him, I simply had him cover his mouth
for the shot. Like most artists he hasremarkable hands, which is evident in his shot. Because I wanted
this to be a dramatic portrait, I shothim with my little Fuji X100 to kill all ambient light in his
studio while using a simple Speedlite.Peninsula Museum of Art, North Gallery, 1777 California Drive,
Burlingame11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, May
18 to July 20 Admission: FreeInformation:
www.peninsulamuseum.org; Phone: 650-692-2101Artist website: www.markkitaoka.com